Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Five EVELYN PRENTICE * » William Powell, Myrna Loy, Una Merkel, Harvey Stephens. From the book by W. E. Woodward. Direction by William K. Howard. M-G-M. The popularity of Myrna Loy and William Powell will undoubtedly attract audiences to their new vehicle but the hackneyed theme will arouse no sympathy or satisfaction when the film is viewed. It is the story of a preoccupied criminal lawyer whose attractive wife is led into a silly liaison with a man she meets in a night club. His inevitable murder places the wife as defendant in the trial. The many complications of the plot limit its dramatic treatment, the cocktail shaker is too much in evidence to please all audiences, the court trial lacks dignity, and excellent acting is wasted on the trite and overdone material. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 By no means No ■v THE FIREBIRD » » Ricardo Cortez, Vera Teasdale, Anita Louise, Lionel Atwill. Based on a play by Lajos Zilsky. Direction by William Dieterle. Warner Bros. This mystery melodrama has an interesting Viennese setting and a mood of excitement induced by the recurring use of Stravinsky’s “Firebird” ballet music. The story is not unusual. It has a typical find-the-murderer plot in which a mother, her daughter, a governess and several others are suspected of shooting a popular actor. Good direction makes it better than average. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too sophisticated No ■v FLIRTATION WALK » » Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Pat O’Brien. Direction by Frank Borzage. First National Warner. This sort of picture sends audiences home relaxed, pleased and comforted that the world is a good place after all. It tells of a gay little romance between the General’s daughter and a private soldier who decided to become an officer and a gentleman. It is a story of youth, and Frank Borzage has caught that spirit as he can so skilfully. There is music, and fun and sincerity, with the ever thrilling setting of West Point for added interest. And by the way, Pat O’Brien almost steals the show without adverse criticism, either, of any one of an excellent cast. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent If it interests FUGITIVE LADY » » Neil Hamilton, Florence Rice, Donald Cook. Story and screen play by Herbert Asbury and Fred Niblo, Jr. Direction by Al Rogell. Columbia. Some films provide acceptable entertainment for uncritical audiences even though they present an unoriginal plot depending upon melodramatic situations, improbable incidents and false psychology. “Fugitive Lady” comes under this classification. It has entertaining qualities due to a good cast and well maintained suspense, but it tells an incredible tale of a beautiful working girl who is made the innocent dupe of a racketeer and is saved from the penitentiary by a convenient train wreck and a gentleman who is contemplating divorce. As one may imagine, its ethical values are poor. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No ■tr GIRL IN DANGER » » Ralph Bellamy, Shirley Grey. Direction by Ross Leiderman. Columbia. Again we have a crime picture which feebly tries to put over the fact that crime does not pay. This one deals with a young society girl who, bored with her own friends and pastimes, turns to anything that offers her a thrill. She becomes involved with a handsome crook and helps him steal the famous Cortez emerald. The experiences that follow, her kidnapping by a rival gang and the shooting and murders that she witnesses, are enough to make her say glibly at the end of the picture that she is through with thrills. But though the gunmen all pay for their lives of crime, she suffers no pangs of remorse. The picture is only superficially entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Demoralizing Certainly not sr GAY BRIDE » » Carole Lombard, Chester Morris, Nat Pendleton, Sam Hardy, Leo Carillo, Zasu Pitts. Direction by Jack Conway. M-G-M. Fortunately few poorer pictures than this one have been made. It is all about a gang of racketeers who kill one another to gain the love of a gold-digger. It is intended to be comic, but murder and extortion leave a wry taste even though the characters seem to find them amusing. We have read hopeful articles stating that gang pictures are passe, but while this may be true as far as serious pictures are concerned, we still find far too many so-called comedies featuring the underworld. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Impossible Impossible